RI reporters mugged in S. Africa

JAKARTA (JP): Two Indonesian journalists covering the South African elections were mugged by a group of black men in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Memet Suratmadi of the Antara news agency and Edi Junaedi of the Suara Merdeka daily were walking down Jeppe and Small Street after breakfast at around 10:00 local time when they were attacked from behind by five or six men.

Edi and Memet were then held and strangled as the culprits tried to take their belongings. An uneven struggle ensued, but the two journalists were unable to overcome their assailants Antara reported.

As a result of the intense choking, Edi fell to the ground, injuring his knee, before he eventually fainted. Memet remained conscious and help his colleague.

The muggers ran off with Edi's bag containing his passport, return ticket, Singapore dollars and South African rand.

The local authorities who have yet to capture the muggers.

A number of Indonesian journalists are currently in South Africa to report on that nation's first multiracial elections, from April 26 to April 28. (07)